Paramount pressing on with sequel to Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

Despite taking a critical savaging and performing sluggishly with domestic audiences, Paramount has given the green light to a sequel to Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters .

The film scored just $54m in the US, and with a raft of poor reviews hanging around its neck, it seemed as though the film would be quickly swept under the carpet by Paramount executives.

However, with a haul of more than $150m overseas, and a relatively modest budget of $50m, the film has apparently been profitable enough to warrant a follow up.

Whether or not Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton will return to reprise their roles remains to be seen, although we'd be surprised if they're contracts didn't include multi-picture deals. That could turn out to be something of a mixed blessing...

Tommy Wirkola wrote and directed the first film, but he too has yet to be confirmed as a returnee. Perhaps some fresh blood might make this one a slightly more appetising proposition second time out.

George Wales

George was once GamesRadar's resident movie news person, based out of London. He understands that all men must die, but he'd rather not think about it. But now he's working at Stylist Magazine.